First Birthday, Sweetness

Dear Sylas,

I want to write you a letter to tell you how important you are. I want you to know that you are loved and cherished in this madness and swiftly moving thing called life. You are so handsome and your smile and hugs make me melt.

You are 1 years old today. You were born on a Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 0845, Kaiser Hospital San Francisco, CA. You were 4 weeks early. 5 lbs 2 oz and 18.5 inches long. Just like me, you were breech and required a grand entrance via Cesarean Section. I was so worried that I was going to be in so much pain and so immobile after the surgery, but the moment I held you I new we would be ok. You were so tiny and so perfect. At home we met your Big Brother, Brock and our precious Maya Girl.

You are the completion of our little family. You bring us joy and happiness all of the time. You don't have many words, but you are very vocal and make it known when you want something. You love to dance anytime music is playing and sometimes to the silent little tune playing in your head.  You just started walking this week, a little unsteady, but determined. You get so excited at the sound of your brothers voice and you know that when he is coming you are in for fun. You 2 like to wrestle right now! You are so persistent, I realize that is what will make you successful as you grow up. I want to make sure you remember our 4 values: gratitude, faith, love and legacy. Win the day, everyday!

I love you so much.
Love Always,
Mommy

Our Favorite Lullaby
from Cool Hand Luke

I don't care if it rains or freezes
As long  I've got the plastic Jesus 
Sitting on the dashboard of my car.
Comes in colors pink and pleasant
Glows in the dark 'cause its iridescent.
Take it with you when you travel far.

Get yourself a sweet Madonna
Dressed in rhinestones, 
Sitting on a pedestal of abalone shells.

Going 90, I ain't scary
Cause I got the Virgin Mary 
Assuring me 
That I won't go to hell.

Halloween 2010

Sherriff Woody and a cute little Jack-O-Lantern were so excited for Halloween 2010. 

Pumpkin carving. Brock's first trick-or-treat experience. Midtown Terrace Fire House. Pizza dinner. GIANTS baseball.

2010 World Series Game 4 on Halloween night. 21 year old Madison Bumgarner goes 8 innings of shutout baseball giving up 3 hits, 2 walks and 6Ks. Giants win and take a 3-1 series lead. This has got to be the most exciting Halloween I have ever experienced.

 and the next night, November 1, 2010...

World Series Game 5: Lincecum, Renteria Give Giants First Title Since 1954

Maya Girl

A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary? -John Grogan "Marley & Me"

March 12, 2003 to October 29, 2010

RECESS

The Garcia Boy's are the newest members of San Francisco's Recess Urban Recreation. This place is the most amazing play room EVER. a swing hangs from the ceiling, there is a wooden train set with hills and tunnels, a play kitchen, a super fast slide, a disco music room and a kitchen with food for mom and kiddos. Oh and did I mention I can leave them one-on-one in the playroom while I attend a cardio or pilates class or have a massage! A dream come true. And the boys love it too! 

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

 

5 Years: Shared photo book from cara

Click here to view this photo book larger

I started this book 5 years ago. Worked hard on it before Brock was born. Forgot about it. 5 years later...

complete!

I am so excited about this book. I wanted to order it for everyone, but instead I am sharing it here. So lucky in this life to have married the man of my dreams with such a fun and exciting wedding. 

Thank you to our families and friends that helped us with this day. 

Enjoy!

Toy Story

Our life has been consumed with Buzz and Woody and Andy and the gang for months now. It all started when randomly Brock spotted a $7 Buzz Bubble Bath at the store. I bought it and life has forever been changed. We then watched Toy Story 1 on DVD over and over and over again. He loved it, and so did I. We then watched Toy Story 2, which in my opinion is not nearly as great as #1, but certainly has a great toy adventure and explains where Woody comes from. Toy Story 3, exceeded my expectations. It is definately an excitement filled story and keeps the kiddos attention as the toys venture through Sunnyside Preschool. But what I did not expect were the tears that flowed as I imagnined our life with Brock and Sylas and how quickly they are already growing into amazing boys. 

Yes, I bawled my eyes out both times at the Pinecrest Ampitheater where we were so lucky to see Toy Story 3 twice under the stars on our vacation. I am reminded how I need to cherish these young days with my babies. They are only this little for such a short time. Then we will watch Brock off to preschool and Sylas not too far behind him, and before we know it move in day at college! I know getting way to ahead. 

We love you Toy Story, thank you for reminding us the importance of cherishing playtime.

Pinecrest 2010

Charlie's Choice has been in our family for 45+ years. When my mom was a kid she would go camping for the entire summer in Pinecrest, when cabins started going up her parents bought #191 Sugarpine Rd. It is a cozy 2 bedroom, 1 bath plus out house. It is an amazing part of my childhood and I am thankful to say now part of Brock and Sylas' childhood.

We spent 10 days in mid August, playing in dirt, searching for rocks, riding in the wagon, smelling the pine trees, eating grilled meats and bacon, spending hours at the lake, going for early morning walks, and best of all spending time with each other.

Brock saw his very first movie at the outdoor ampitheater, Toy Story 3, twice while we were there. Sylas cut his first tooth and Maya soaked up the sun and sap and her multiple walks. We are so lucky in this life, and Pinecrest vacations are a part of it.

 

Patience

Ryan and I were so lucky to get away this past weekend. We spent 3 days in Santa Paula and Ventura, CA; visiting with Pop Garcia, Micah and Kyle and of course the Saint Bonaventure 20th high school reunion. It was amazing to see Ryan and a large turn out of his high school buddies and their significant others. I had fun hearing about Ryan as a young adult. My favorite part of the evening was when we first walked in and were greeted with numerous people yelling "CHOOOCH", Ryan's fantastic nickname.

Not only did we have a blast at the reunion we had a great dinner with Ben and Casey Yoong and Kevin Zoll, pie at the Zoll Mansion (still amazed at the beauty of a pantry), we took in a matinee, and had some of the best funnel cake I have ever had at the Ventura County Fair. A great weekend....and of course this was waiting for us when we came home...

iFAMILY

One of our favorite activities is the Photo Booth option on my MacBook Pro. Almost everyday since Ryan got it for me, on Christmas Day 2009, I have taken a picture or ten. My favorite is capturing Brock and Sylas when they are just laying together after waking up, or when I am having quiet time with one of them while the other is still asleep.

My photo booth gallery is growing. These are just a few photos from my collection, but the best part is watching my babies change daily!

Leaving a Legacy

I am trying to capture the lives of Brock, 2, and Sylas, 8.5 months. We do so many things together and I want to capture them for their future, well really for my future. I am pretty sure this is the completion of our family. Two boys, our 8 year old boxer, Maya, my husband, Ryan and I. I am already holding onto their childhood, not wanting them to get any bigger. I love them all so much and thank God this is my life. 

I have decided that my goal in being a mom is to instill my 4 greatest values: GRATITUDE. faith. Love. legacy. If I can live with these four values and teach them why they are important to me and to them, I truly believe I have done my job as momma.

GRATITUDE. I am thankful everyday for waking up, for the sun shining (or here in the SF summer, the drippy fog), I am thankful for my family, my friends and my job. I am thankful for everything including what challenges me. It is in this gratitude that we can see just what we have and what we can give to others.

faith. Believe in yourself, believe in others, but most importantly, believe in God.

Love. Love yourself first and then loving others is easy. But no matter what share your love with hugs and kisses and telling those you love everyday just how important they are to you.

legacy. Leave lasting change. Leave a novel. Leave a cure. Leave an heir. Leave a legacy of something incredible. And perhaps it is not world re-known, but no matter what leave something that you are proud of.

Thanks for joining me on this exciting adventure. Life with the Garcia Brothers.